Two notorious prison escapees still on the run

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Prison escapees Pati Chong Nee and Aniseko Vaelei are still on the run from authorities.

Today marks one month since the convicted criminals dashed for freedom during a church service at the Tafaigata Prison.

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The failure by the Police to capture the escapees has seen a shop at Moamoa, and the family of a university lecturer fall victim to the duo in recent weeks.

The shop at Moamoa suffered substantial losses when the criminals stole canned food, cigarettes, alcohol and a Digifix phone. A few days later the family of a foreign lecturer at the University of South Pacific (USP) Alafua Campus were held up by unidentified men – who fit the description of the escapees – and made off with their personal effects.

Aniseko Vaelei, 27, is from the villages of Vaiusu, Aele and Tafaigata. He was jailed for theft, robbery, burglary and escaping from prison charges. Pati Chong Nee, 25, from the villages of Aleisa and Vaitele Fou was also serving time for theft and burglary.

Members of the public have been urged to contact any nearby Police stations or the prisons main headquarters and the Ola Toe Fuataina at Tafaigata with the contact numbers: 23516, 22208 and 21008, concerning any information relating to the escaped prisoners due to the severity of crimes they were charged with.

Attempts by the Samoa Observer to get the latest updates from Police and Prisons and Correctional Services were unsuccessful.